The Catcher of Halensee

Captain Harry Tennant #3

by David J. Oldman

It is the summer of 1947 and Harry Tennant is back in Berlin. A British Intelligence Officer has died in a fall and SIS has asked Harry to liaise with a German Socialist Party member who has been passing information. That’s fine with Harry. He is pleased to be working again, even in a city as devastated as Berlin. Why have SIS chosen him; and was the fall that killed his predecessor really an accident? While waiting for his socialist contact to arrange an important meeting, Harry interests himself in a young Jewish survivor of the camps he sees watching the house where he lives. She insists the Nazis stole the property from her family before sending them to the gas chambers. And she has seen the Gestapo officer she holds responsible, even though everyone says he is dead. But then Harry’s socialist contact is abducted by the Russians and, in return for helping him to defect, the man’s colleague promises Harry something really big. And the Jewish survivor is carrying a shameful secret she appears no longer able to face. Harry is faced with a devastating choice... Praise for The Unquiet 'An excellent book that made me want to read more — always a good sign. Lots of twists and turns; emotional impacts; deft characterization; and realistic setting' - Netgalley reviewer 'I found myself engrossed by this story' - Netgalley reviewer Born into the austerity of post-war Britain, David J. Oldman began writing in his early twenties. Frequently humorous, and often moving, his books are an examination of ordinary people caught up in life-changing events beyond their control.

382 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 30, 2020

About the author

Born into the austerity of post-war Britain, David J Oldman began writing in his early twenties and is now unable to break the habit. Frequently humorous, and often deceptively moving, his books are an examination of ordinary people caught up in life-changing events beyond their control. He presently lives with his wife in the New Forest in the south of England, adjusting to a life just beyond his own control while pursuing his deep interest in history, writers and writing

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

1947. The SIS have sent Harry Tennant to Berlin to liaise with a Socialist contactas the man he is replacing was thought to have committed suicide. But nothing is straightforward.
An interesting and well-written historical story.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Usual high standard of story telling. Excellent read.

The third book in the Harry Tennant series sees him back in post war Berlin, once again back in the "employment" of the security services.
The evocation of the ruin that was Berlin is expertly captured along with the deprivations suffered by its inhabitants.
Harry's dilemma is, who can he trust, if anyone, in such an hostile and unpredictable environment.
The story catches you from the start and keeps hold until the final page delivering an extremely well written and entertaining book. I sincerely hope that Harry returns for further adventures, especially after the possible hints that are in the book.

[Ellie Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another instalment full of atmosphere, as Harry is sent to post-war Berlin for an unofficial low-level Intelligence posting that becomes more complex than he could imagine.

As always, the observations of time and place and people are fascinating and the story compelling. The machinations of the shadowy and dangerous spy world are so well-drawn (the Philby reference meaning so much more to the reader than it could to Harry), and the complexities of life at that time are never glossed over. Magnificent writing.

I'm hoping we get another of Harry's adventures soon!

[D. A. Delport-Barrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good story if somewhat long-winded and repetitious. However, Mr. Oldman should get himself a new proof reader; there are a number of grammatical mistakes and/or misprints. As far as the German language references are concerned, at least half of them are mis-spelt and the name of one of the most infamous Nazis was not "boormann" but "Bormann" - of course with a capital "B". There are similar mistakes in the other two books in this series but not on the scale of this one.

[Prp · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is much weaker than the two preceding ones, the subplot far more interesting than the nmain one. This (the main one) would be the spy story. Once and again Tennant lets slip information that he was meant to keep secret. IThisinability to keephis mouth closed is absolutely unbelievable.
Furthermore, the pace is far too slow and too pedagogical.

[Maria Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Complex and enjoyable

I have enjoyed all three of the Harry Tennant books annd sincerely hope that more are to come. The lead character is very likeable and the stories themselves are complex, interesting and also veryinformative about post war life in Germany.

[Jonathan Pedlar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another lovely tale

Set in post-war Berlin the self effacing Harry Tennant, as a trainee spook, works his way through poverty, hunger, rubble, misinformation, Americans, Russians and Jews to the sad realities of the time.

[Dr David C Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Excellent evocation of post war Berlin and a gripping narrative!
A fitting end to the Harry Tennant trilogy - can’t wait for another!

[Rosalyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite in the class as the first 2 books but still very enjoyable. Leads easily into the option of a further book which I really hope will happen

[Afflikönig · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I've enjoyed each entry in the Harry Tennant series, some of the grammatical and, in particular, spelling errors in this release drove me to distraction - For example, Leipzigerstrasse is consistently Liepzigerstrasse, Erich Mielke is referred to as both Meilke and Meikle, and over the course of about 5 pages, there are at least 3 different spellings of Tokarev. Small things, but distracting.

A good story in need of a little care.